Approximately 30 centimetres of snowfall from Friday through Sunday led The City of Windsor to declare a snow emergency Sunday. The record snowfall put snow plows into overdrive as they tried to clear the roads. The weather and poor driving conditions also led to several car accidents throughout the area.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a winter driving accident, contact the trusted Windsor car crash lawyers at Greg Monforton & Partners to learn about your legal options. When motorists are negligent in poor weather, they can be held liable for causing winter accidents.
Driving Too Fast for Weather Conditions
Police in Essex County reported investigating at least 19 crashes on Highway 401 Friday, most of which were caused by people who were driving too fast for weather conditions.
In one incident, an Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officer narrowly escaped serious injury after a tractor trailer lost control and just missed plowing into the officer’s cruiser and a vehicle that was stopped in the eastbound lanes of Highway 401 at the Puce Road exit in Lakeshore. The truck stopped after hitting a light standard, and charges are pending against the driver.
Minor injuries were reported in a collision between a transport truck and a snow plow on Highway 401 near Kent Bridge Road in Chatham Kent. OPP reported that the collision caused the snow plow to enter the centre median and roll onto its side. The driver of the truck has been charged with careless driving.
Section 130 of Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act defines a careless driver as anyone who drives a vehicle without due care and attention or without reasonable consideration for others on the road. This includes a failure to drive appropriately for weather and road conditions. A careless driving conviction can lead to a fine between $400 and $2,000, possibly imprisonment for up to six months and the suspension of the driver’s licence for up to two years.
Safety Tips for Driving in Snow
To avoid a careless driving charge and prevent accidents and injuries, motorists should practise these safety tips for driving in snow:
- Slow down
- Accelerate, decelerate and brake gently
- Keep your windshield and lights clear of snow
- Increase your stopping distance by three times
- Use caution on roads that commonly freeze, such as bridges, overpasses and roads less traveled
- Use caution when making turns
- Do not drive while tired or under the influence
- Use caution around snow plows
Contact a Windsor Winter Car Accident Lawyer
Heavy snow and the accidents that often result are common in Windsor during winter. For this reason, our car accident lawyers are committed to helping injury victims obtain the compensation they need for their injuries and other damages caused by the accident.
To learn more about how we can help you, schedule a free, no obligation consultation. We do not get paid unless we recover compensation for you.
Call (866) 320-4770 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form.